Donaghadee Match

Ever since I recovered from Covid, I have spent much of my spare time either playing golf or practicing at the driving range to prepare for inter-club team match play. Tuesday of this week was the regular  ladies competition at Shandon--I didn't do well. Then Thursday was the match against Donaghadee, three pairs playing at Shandon, two at Donaghadee. Each of us had a caddy to help us keep track of the scores on each hole, to stay on the right side of the rules, and to keep calm.

The first two pairs at Shandon went off at the same time as the first two at Donaghadee. I was the last to go out at Shandon. I expected our match to be called in early, either b/c Shandon built up a 3-1 lead in the first four matches or b/c Donaghadee did. That didn't happen, which suggested the first four were tied 2-2.

On the front nine, I built up an early lead of two holes. But by the 9th, she had won two holes and we were even. She won 10. We were even on holes 11, 12 and 13. I won 14. We split 15. I got into big trouble on 16 and had to concede the hole. So she was up one as we approached the 17th, a notoriously tricky hole. We both got into and out of trouble and split the hole. So I am one down approaching the 18th. There is now a crowd. My coach has been on the course since the 12th hole.

If I lose this hole, Shandon loses the match. My tee shot is OK, hers is in the trees. I don't hit up the fairway well but I am on the green one ahead of Theresa, my opponent. I had to hole a two-foot put to win the hole and I did. We are now even. Lots of applause. I walk through the crowd, looking at no one, to play the first hole over again. We have to play until someone loses a hole.

My nerves are jangling, have been since the 17th. My mouth is dry, heart is racing, I feel like my knees are knocking but that isn't literally true. I just feel shaky. But also very tired. Jumpy and tired. And hungry. My coach Debbie remains cool as a cucumber and very good at keeping me as calm as possible. My tee shot is a rocket and straight down the fairway. Theresa's is a few yards short of mine. Debbie and I have our umpteenth discussion about whether to use a 5 iron or 5 wood. I feel safer with the iron but I'd also had a few bad shots with it, including on the 17th. Somewhat rashly, I go for the 5 wood. Another rocket straight at the pin. From what I know of my distance with a 5 wood, I should be short of the pin but it doesn't look it from 146 yards to the front of the green. Theresa hits into the trees on the right. Her fourth shot gets her on the fringe of the green at the front. My ball has rolled off the back of the green and is on a bank. Tricky shot. With a 10 iron I get it up and near enough to the flag. Theresa putts twice and then concedes--she won't get in the hole in fewer shots than me.

Hallelujah. I have to say I really enjoyed the match. Theresa and I were very well matched and she was nice and her caddy was nice and the atmosphere was positive. And my caddy was really good company and gave me good advice. The adrenaline rush at the end kept me up late and buzzing the next day, until I submitted my expenses on the Webexpense platform at work--which drained all the energy from my system. I was really worried that I'm not a strong enough player to participate in the Challenge Cup but I think I am just at the margin. Next year, I hope to either be still within in the Challenge Cup band, which is something like 24-36 handicap, or to have slid into the next team level, which is the Minor Cup team. There's also intermediate, junior and senior levels. So years of challenges ahead!

May 10-12